Kansas Commission Approves Cost Recovery for Evergy’s Gas and Solar Power Plants

The Kansas Corporation Commission on July 7 approved two settlement agreements allowing Evergy Kansas Central to recover the costs of constructing two natural gas plants and a utility-scale solar facility. The projects aim to address rising electricity demand and improve grid reliability across the state.

Evergy, which provides electric service in Kansas and Missouri, filed its application with the commission in November 2024. The proposal attracted significant interest, with 31 parties granted intervention. Following months of proceedings, the commission considered two settlements: a unanimous agreement on the solar facility and a non-unanimous deal covering the gas-fired plants.

The commission approved the Kansas Sky solar project, a $228.1 million facility to be built in Douglas County and owned entirely by Evergy Kansas Central. Citing the need to diversify the state’s generation mix, the regulator noted that utility-scale solar remains scarce in Kansas and highlighted its potential to complement the region’s strong wind resources.

Approval for the gas plant proposal came through a contested settlement. The plan includes two 710-megawatt combined-cycle plants: the Viola plant in Sumner County, expected in service by January 2029, and the McNew facility in Reno County by January 2030. Both plants will be jointly owned by Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Missouri West. Evergy Kansas Central’s share of construction costs is projected at $788.75 million for the Viola plant and $800.52 million for McNew plant. In its order, the commission determined the gas plant settlement was in the public interest, providing a reliable and efficient capacity expansion plan.

The commission expressed concern over the frequency and magnitude of Evergy’s rate filings, directing the utility to moderate investment pacing and consider lower-cost alternatives such as demand response programs and grid-enhancing technologies to manage future rate impacts.